Uconn

Breanna Stewart struggles to live up to her billing BY ROGER CLEAVELAND REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

Connecticut's Breanna Stewart (30) drives to the basket while guarded by Notre Dame's Ariel Braker during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Storrs, Conn., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. Notre Dame won 73-72. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

STORRS — It's not as if all of the promise that freshman Breanna Stewart arrived with at UConn and displayed so prominently in her first 10 games has disappeared completely. There are still glimpses of awe-inspiring play from the 6-foot-4 forward.

There is also, however, the undeniable reality that Stewart's production has dropped off considerably over the last 10 games she's played.

Stewart's career began in historic fashion as she scored more points (160) in her first 10 games than any other player in UConn history. In addition to leading the team in scoring (16.9), rebounding (7.2), and blocked shots (16), she also had made almost twice as many free throws as anyone else on the team and was shooting 59.8 percent from the field.

Over her last 10 games, Stewart's scoring has dropped off a third to 10.7 points per game. Her rebounding dipped by about one per game, and her field-goal percentage slipped from 59.8 to 42.3. Her 3-point shooting fell off precipitously from 38.5 percent to 21.1 percent.

So much talent and yet so much inconsistency.

"I think somebody like Breanna Stewart, if you allow it to be, is frustrating to coach," coach Geno Auriemma said. "But at the same time, she's probably more frustrated at herself than any of us could be because she wants to be able to have an impact when she plays. There have been instances this season when the impact that she's had has been amazing. But then at the same time there have been too many games where she hasn't had an impact."

See STEWART, Page 5C

That can clearly be seen in her scoring. In five of her first 10 games, she scored 20 or more points, while she's done it just once in her last 10. Likewise, the number of times she scored 10 points or fewer increased from one in her first 10 games to six in her last 10.

"I'm a little bit confused as to where it all goes when she steps out on the floor because there's so much there," Auriemma said. "You wonder where did it go and how do we pull it out of her every day? That's just going to take time, I guess.''

Stewart said she knows she can turn her game back around. She has still scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games.

"I just need to really just go out from the start and be aggressive at all times, and just try to stay involved in the game," Stewart said. "Sometimes I will catch myself not doing anything. I just always need to be moving, cutting or something like that."

Auriemma said one thing holding Stewart back is her aversion to physical play. While her 6-4 body with a 71-inch wingspan allows her to rebound well, block shots and shoot over anyone, her slight build has been an impediment.

"She's not comfortable with the fistfights that happen in the lane," Auriemma said. "So she's going to have to deal with that. And she wants to be great, and I think when she doesn't have success, it bothers her. Right now, she doesn't know how to respond."

As with a lot of struggles at this level, it appears Stewart's inconsistencies have been caused by overthinking. When she doesn't do the things she knows she is capable of doing, she spends too much time playing the game at hyperspeed rather than at a pace that allows her talent to emerge.

"You can tell she is frustrated," Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis said. "She tries to look away when we are telling her stuff, but it is just because she wants to do well. She just doesn't understand, 'Why is it not falling or why am I not doing this well? It doesn't make sense.' I felt it last year, and it is frustrating when you know you can do something and it is just not happening for you."

Mosqueda-Lewis said the Huskies' keep encouraging her. She knows that the talent will eventually show itself again. And whether Stewart believes it or not, she's saying the right things.

"I have confidence in myself," Stewart said. "I know that I can provide a spark off the bench. I just need to go out and do it."

Auriemma said Stewart possesses the desire and work ethic. She just has to focus and balance her energy. She needs to be aggressive in the post or in looking for shots, but then relax and let her abilities take over. She did that the first 10 games, and everyone believes it will come back to her again.

"I think there is another level for me ,just because I know for myself I haven't played the best that I can play, and I am just trying to bring that each night," Stewart said. "I know that I can score 20. I have the mentality of just going out and shooting when I am open, and looking to score and being aggressive.

"I should be able to do it all the time. That is my mind-set. And going into games I am going to think that I can do it."

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